Apparatus for use in extracting precious metals from their ores.



No. 7ll,236. Pgtente d 'Oct. I4, 1902.

H. SMlTH &. P. D. BROWN. APPARATUS FOR USE IN EXTRACTING PRECIOUS METALSFROM THEIR ORE S.

(Application filed May 6, 1901'.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HUDSON SMITH AND PETER C. BROTVN, OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

APPARATUS FOR USE IN EXTRACTING PRECIOUS'METALS FROM THEIR ORES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 71 1,236, datedOctober 14, 1902.

Application filed May 6,1901. Serial No. 59,047. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HUDSON SMITH and PETER 0. BROWN, citizens of theUnited States, and residents of Salt Lake, county of Salt Lake, andState of Utah, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inApparatus for the Extraction of Metals from Their Ores by Lixiviation;and we do hereby declare the following to be a full and exactdescription thereof, reference being bad to the accompanying drawing.

Our invention relates to the extraction of metals by lixiviation and isaccomplished by means of an agitating apparatus, a solvent solutionpreferably under pressure and in the presence of steam.

Heretofore it has been common in treating ores by lixiviation to do soin stationary open tanks, and much difficulty has been experiencedbecause in that method of treatment the finely-pulverized ore is notbrought into uniform contact with the solvent solution, as is essentialtorthe proper oxidation thereof, and accordingly we have found it ofbenefit to provide means for the gentle agitation of such ores and inthis manner obtain a better extraction, particularly when the pulp isvery finely crushed or it is clayey or talcky. We obtain these objectsby the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein thesame indicating letters and numerals point out the same parts in thefigure.

The figure is a sectional view of the revoluble tank A, a part of theend of the tank being cut away to show the internal arrangeinent bywhich the ore and the solvent solution become incorporated with eachother. At 1 is shown the axis of the inlet by which air or oxygen, aswell as the solvent solution and steam, is introduced into the revolubletank. The axis coincides with the center of the tank and is providedwith concentric pipes 2 and 3, the purpose of said pipes being toconveniently feed into the tank. The pipes are concentric as far as theinlet of the tank. At that point there is provided a stuffing-box, bywhich the inner concentric pipe supplies a continuous inlet for air oroxygen. lution D. Valve 6, preferably at right angles to the valve 5,admits the steam. Valve 7 admits the air, also the oxygen, if it is nec-The valve 5 admits the solvent soessary to use oxygen, as is the case attimes when both are admitted at once.

The longitudinal tank B is revoluble on four Wheels, three of which, 9,10, and 11, are shown suitably supported, and moved by friction on thebands 12 and 13. Around the longitudinal tank is provided the cog-wheel14, iutermeshing with the small cog-wheel 15. By means of these bandsand cog-wheels the tank is rotated. The tank B is provided with aremovable door 20 for the purpose of filling and emptying the tank. Theapparatus can be driven at any desired speed. The ore is shown at C andthe solvent solution at D. At the end of tank opposite from the inlet isprovided a launderE,with a stuffing-box 16 and a cut-off valve 17. Thelaunder E coincides with the axis of the tank B; is provided with thecontinuous outlet or exhaust pipe or tube 10. After passing through theend of the tank the launder is turned at right angles at 19 and the tubeextended upward almost to the internalperiphery of tank B, so that uponthe admission of steam, solvent solution, air, or oxygen at 4 solventand extracting process takes place. The solution remains within thetank, and the excess air, oxygen, and steam find their way out throughthe launder E. Preferably the valves at the inlet and the exhaust are soregulated as to create and continue a constant internal pres sure ofsuch tension as experience may determine the different qualitiesandcouditions the ore may require.

In the treatment of ore by this process the ore is first finelysubdivided, the amount of subdivision depending on the condition and thesolvent solution introduced, filling the tank with ore and solutionnearly to the top,

leaving'a sufficient open space atthe top to receive the upright end ofthe launder. The axis of the tank is provided with the concentric inletfor the purpose of admitting the solution and steam or air or oxygen,and the launder provides through the other axis the outlet for air anddeadsteam. By this means the air and oxygen and steam enter the tank,pass through the interstices in the comminuted ore, while the revolvingtank causes an intimate admixture of ore, solvent, air, and oxygen, andthen passes on out after having performed the work of extraction.

We do not confine ourselves to the treatment of any particular ore, forour apparatus may well be applied to different ores-such as gold,silver,or copper-the difference in treatment being in using a different solventfor different ores, such as cyanid of potassium in the case of gold orsilver ores, hyposulfite of soda in the case of silver ores, and acidsin the case of copper ore.

We are aware that revoluble tanks containing comminuted orehave beenemployed in the lixiviating of ores and that such tanks have been usedin conjunction with solvent solutions and also that steam, air, andoxygen have been from time to time employed in diiferent forms. Wetherefore disclaim the right to the exclusive use thereof; but

What we do claim, and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is

1. In a lixiviation apparatus, a revoluble tank for containing ores, apipe extending through one end of the tank and extending upward almostto the internal wall, means for rotating the tank and pipes forsupplying a solvent solution, air and steam to the tank as and for thepurpose described.

2. In a lixiviation apparatus for extracting the values from ores, arevoluble tank for the ores, means for rotating the tank, means foradmitting a solvent solution in intimate admixture With the ore, pipesfor admitting steam and air, and an outlet for the expulsion of air.

3. In a lixiviation apparatus, a revoluble tank, pipes conducting asolvent, air and steam to the tank, means for rotating the tank and apipe in the end of the tank opposite the end containing the supply-pipe,substantially as described.

4:. In a 'lixiviation apparatus, a revoluble tank, concentric pipesconducting a solvent, air and steam to the tank, and an outlet for theexpulsion of air.

HUDSON SMITH. PETER 0. BROWN.

Witnesses:

B. S. MAoMAsTUs, J. R. LETCHER.

